Oven shelf adapted to absorb microwave energy and conduct heat to a load

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a shelf for use in microwave ovens. A base member made up of microwave energy absorptive material is shaped to conform to the interior perimeter of the cavity with which it is to be used for converting the microwave energy into heat. Embedded within the base member are a plurality of rods of a heat conductive material arranged in a preselected pattern which will convey the heat generated within the microwave energy absorptive base material in the presence of microwave energy to an oven load.

United States Patent Schauer, Jr.

May 9, 1972 [54] OVEN SHELF ADAPTED TO ABSORB MICROWAVE ENERGY AND CONDUCT HEAT TO A LOAD [72] Inventor: George W. Schauer, Jr., Dayton, Ohio [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

[22] Filed: June 6, 1968 21 Appl. No.: 734,944

[52] US. Cl ..219/10.55 [51] Int. Cl. ...H05b 9/06 [58] Field of Search ..2l9/10.55

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,366,769 l/l968 Lima ..2l9/10.55

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,120,619 3/1959 Germany ..2l9/l0.55

Primary ExaminerJ. V. Truhe Assistant Examiner-Hugh D. Jaeger Attorney-W. E. Finken and Richard G. Stahr [5 7] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a shelf for use in microwave ovens. A base member made up of microwave energy absorptive material is shaped to conform to the interior perimeter of the cavity with which it is to be used for converting the microwave energy into heat. Embedded within the base member are a plurality of rods of a heat conductive material arranged in a preselected pattern which will convey the heat generated within the microwave energy absorptive base material in the presence of microwave energy to an oven load,

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures U ml OVEN SHELF ADAPTED T ABSORB MICROWAVE ENERGY AND CONDUCT HEAT TO A LOAD The present invention relates to oven shelves and, more particularly, to oven shelves for use with microwave energy ovens.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved shelf for use with microwave energy ovens.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved shelf for use with microwave energy ovens wherein the heat produced upon the absorption of microwave energy by a base member of microwave energy absorptive material is conducted to an oven load by a plurality of rods of a heat conductive material which are embedded within the material of the base member and arranged in a preselected pattern which will convey the heat generated therein to the load.

In accordance with this invention, a shelf for use with an oven cavity permeated with microwave energy is provided wherein a plurality of rods of a heat conductive material embedded within a base member of microwave energy absorptive material shaped to conform to the interior perimeter of the cavity are arranged in a preselected pattern to conduct the heat produced in the base member material upon the absorption of microwave energy to an oven load.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with additional objects, advantages and features thereof, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein FIG. 1 is a front view looking into a microwave oven cavity,

FIG. 2 is a section view of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and,

FIG. 3 is a section view of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the FIGURES of the drawing, a base member 10, which may be composed of a material which will readily absorb microwave energy, is shaped to conform to the interior perimeter of the oven. One example of a suitable material for base member 10 is a high temperature ceramic material. A commercially available product of this type is marketed by I provided.

Embedded within base member 10 are a plurality of rod members 20 which may be composed of a heat conductive material which will conduct the heat produced in the support member 10 microwave energy absorptive material in the presence of microwave energy. Any metallic material such as copper or aluminum may be employed for rod members 20. To conduct the heat generated within the base member material to a load within the oven, which may be a conventional baking dish 25, the rods 20 are arranged in a preselected pattern or grid as is clearly shown in FIG. 2.

The oven load 25 is placed upon the shelf with the bottom thereof in the proximity of the center of the pattern of rod members 20 and microwave energy is introduced into the oven cavity through a conventional microwave antenna 26. The material of base member 10 will become heated in the presence of the microwave energy and rod members 20 will conduct the heat generated therein to the bottom of the oven load, conventional baking dish 25, thereby supplying heat thereto.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only within the scope of the appended claim.

1. A shelf for use with oven cavities permeated with microwave energy comprising, a base member of a microwave energy absorptive material shaped to conform to the interior I perimeter of the cavity with which it is to be used and a plu- Emerson and Cumming, Inc. under the trademark EC- COSORB WG, BR and HT. It is to be specifically understood that this is not the only material of which base member 10 may rality of rods of a heat conductive material embedded within said base member and arranged in a preselected pattern which will convey the heat generated within the material of said base member in the presence of microwave energy to an oven load. 

1. A shelf for use with oven cavities permeated with microwave energy comprising, a base member of a microwave energy absorptive material shaped to conform to the interior perimeter of the cavity with which it is to be used and a plurality of rods of a heat conductive material embedded within said base member and arranged in a preselected pattern which will convey the heat generated within the material of said base member in the presence of microwave energy to an oven load. 